Veterans job fairs kick off in Madison

March 16, 2010 - Michael Mauermann had a simple reason for making the drive from Appleton to Madison on a slightly foggy, slightly rainy Thursday morning.

"Returning vet needs a job," he said, smiling.

Mauermann, a Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldier who deployed twice - most recently with the Onalaska-based Company A, Brigade Special Troops Battalion - was among many veterans to attend a Veterans Job Fair at Edgewood College's Deming Way campus March 11. Some attendees have been out of the service for decades, while others are still serving out their contracts. But all came to see what was available at the first of 18 such job fairs, the result of a collaboration between the state Department of Workforce Development, Department of Military Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion.

"The economy is suffering, but we're seeing signs of recovery," she said. "Having skilled workers ready could not be more important."

Twenty-three employers - many with current job openings - were on hand at the first veterans job fair, and Gassman said they were committed to the employment and well-being of state veterans.

"They have a base of leadership within themselves that, without a doubt, will take us well into the 21st century," said Ken Black, DVA secretary. He added veterans make excellent employees because they are self-starters, culturally sensitive and hard-working.

"They're so dedicated they want to do great things with their lives," Brig. Gen. John McCoy, commander of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, agreed. Keith Miller of Sun Prairie, who retired from a full-time job as an Army Reserve recruiter in 2001, is currently employed but came out to see what opportunities are available.

"The [Veterans Administration] has been my focus," he said. "I think working for them would be worthwhile."

Adam Puhl of Oshkosh seemed optimistic as he visited each station, tucking information neatly into a folder.

"I've gotten a few leads I didn't know about before," he said.

Dan Viesman, an Argyle, Wis. resident who left the Army in 1974, said he was getting plenty of information at the job fair. A few years from retirement, he expressed concern over his chances for a job.

"There are lots of young people here," he observed.

Mauermann - who, with seven years of military experience, would qualify as one of the "young people," - directed his attention to the Madison Police Department and Dane County Sheriff's Department booths. "I'm going to school for criminal justice," he said. "There's lots of good information here."

McCoy said that a job fair of this magnitude had been discussed for some time. Gassman described the effort as an "ambitious plan" to reach out to veterans.

"It's unique," she said, "and we're very proud to do it."

Seventeen additional job fairs for veterans will be held, with the final event at an Army National Guard armory in Superior.